Man accused of trying to flee country by hiding in ship aircon
The case of a Sydney man on sex assault charges who allegedly tried to flee the country on a yacht, has been described as “bizarre” and “highly unusual” by authorities.
NSW
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The case of a Sydney man on sex assault charges who allegedly tried to flee the country on a yacht, has been described as “bizarre” and “highly unusual” by authorities.
Franco Fernando Alomia Santander, 31, from Peakhurst was allegedly in breach of his bail when he purchased the yacht at Yamba on the NSW north coast with a goal to sail east across the Pacific, but his plan was thwarted, police say.
The stricken yacht set off a series of distress calls off the coast, and a bulk carrier heading to Newcastle responded before recovering Santander.
Acting Superintendent Joe McNulty said there was information he was trying to flee the country before his yacht was “hit by some large seas and strong winds on Saturday evening”.
Santander was arrested on Monday after being discovered hiding in a small airconditioning vent on the ship.
The search to find him on the almost 300m length ship, the size of two football fields, was “complicated,” Acting Supt McNulty said.
He said the man raised the ship master’s suspicions when he gave different accounts of what had occurred.
The ship attached a tow line to bring the yacht towards the Newcastle offshore anchorage and the man, who had been on-board the yacht, was taken into a cabin on the bulk carrier.
When the ship arrived in Newcastle waters about 9pm, police said the tow line carrying the yacht had snapped, the yacht had been lost.
When crew went to disembark Mr Santander from the 43,000 tonne ship on Sunday morning, he was missing.
Officers from the Marine Area Command began an extensive search of the ship and surrounding waters but couldn’t find him.
On Monday, NSW Police and Australian Border Force officers boarded the ship and searched it with the help of the dog squad.
Mr Santander was found “well secreted” inside the 230m ship’s airconditioning duct.
During a search of the man, police allege they found and seized $4435 cash and a knife.
He was taken to Newcastle Police Station, where he was charged with breach of bail.
“It’s a bit bizarre. It started as a search and rescue and now it has turned into an arrest.
He was surprised that we found him. He was in fairly good spirits. He realised the gig was up,” Acting Supt McNulty said.
Australian Border Force Maritime Superintendent Graeme Campbell said the case was “highly unusual”.
“They are rare, but do occur occasionally. (But people) are usually trying to get into Australia,” Mr Campbell said.
Mr McNulty said Santander owned a dual citizenship.
He was refused bail on the charges after being deemed a flight risk by Magistrate Andrew Miller on Tuesday in the Newcastle Court.
He was not required to appear when his case was mentioned on Wednesday in the Sutherland Court.
Magistrate Scott Nash adjourned the matter to August 19, 2020.
Originally published as Man accused of trying to flee country by hiding in ship aircon